Emmeline Pankhurst - Sufragette

Birth

Emmeline Pankhurst was born on 14 July 1858 in Moss Side, Manchester. Her family were very wealthy and her parents were both politically active.

1903

WSPU

As she grew older Emmeline Pankhurst noticed that women were treated differently to men and became motivated to help change that. So, in 1903 she founded the Women's Social and Political Union. The WSPU was a group led by Emmeline and their aim was to gain equal voting rights for women. Emmeline gave speeches encouraging women to take action in order to achieve this goal.

1914

The War Years

The first world war began in 1914 and Emmeline encouraged WSPU mebmers to put their demostrations on hold, in order to focus on the war effort.

1918

The right to vote

Emmeline asked women to take up roles in factories in support of the men fighting. In response, the government released alla WSPU prisoners. So, when the war ended in 1918 the Representation of the people Act was introduced, giving women over the age of 30 who owned property, the right to vote.

1928

Death

Although Emmeline lived to see some women gain the right to vote, she died in June 1928, just a few weeks before a law was passed giving all women over 21 years of age the right to vote. Emmeline Pankhurst is remembered for her hard work with the WSPU in the fight to help get British women the right to vote.